A young man was looking through a book about cycling champion Lance Armstrong last night and called his friend over to see something he said he could not believe. Both were wearing yellow wristbands supporting the Armstrong Foundation and cancer research. The young man said that he had just read that apparently Armstrong was an atheist. His friend said, no way. The young man then referred him to the relevant pages. When the friend finished reading he looked at the young man and said, that's terrible.
The young man then ripped off his wristband and threw it toward the garbage (he missed). He explained that now that he knew that Armstrong was an atheist he no longer wanted to be identified with him.
His friend said that the wristband didn't really have anything to do with Armstrong's religion, but was about cancer or something.
Showing my support for Christ, the young man said, is more important that showing my support for cancer.
Friday, May 20, 2005
Man Abandons Wristband Over Armstrong's Atheism
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6 comments:
Interesting. It may be that the young man has been brought to a more Christian position through entirely the wrong route. It is good to give to charity, yes, (and I am presuming that wearing the armband indicates that one does so) but to advertise the fact smacks of smug self righteousness.
One of the MDs I work with refuses to support the yellow armband because Armstrong dumped his wife who'd stuck with him throughout his ordeal...and has said this to at least one cancer patient who took comfort from wearing it.
People (and the things they do) never fail to impress me.
I think armbands and those ubiquitous ribbon magnets on cars and all the other "shows" of support are meaningless except as a form of fashion. Do what you think is right, contribute, support what needs support either monetarily or through your time, but advertising it is only self-satisfying behaviour.
I am sure that some who wear these bands get a comfort from them, if they are people who have a personal experience. But for the majority of people, it is a fashion statement.
I think that americans are lil bit too religious .. well far too much.. and becoming more. Thats the reason why the "right" people always get supporters for their crusades there ..
That guy is a nut!
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